U.S. patent number 5,613,870 [Application Number 08/563,324] was granted by the patent office on 1997-03-25 for positive latching connector with delatching mechanism.
This patent grant is currently assigned to W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert F. Traver, Jr..
United States Patent |
5,613,870 |
Traver, Jr. |
March 25, 1997 |
Positive latching connector with delatching mechanism
Abstract
An improved electrical connector is provided for selectable
mating with an electrical apparatus. The improved electrical
connector is defined by a latch assembly, a connector housing, and
a handle assembly. The latch assembly is mounted to the electrical
apparatus. The connector housing includes physical features which
allow for positive latching to the latch assembly, and which allow
for the moveable attachment of the handle assembly to the connector
housing. To intentionally disengage the electrical connector from
the electrical apparatus, a user applies a pulling force on the
handle assembly, whereupon the connector housing disengages from
the latch assembly. However, if a pulling force is applied to the
connector housing, or individual electrical cables, unintentional
disengagement of the connector housing from the latch assembly is
prevented.
Inventors: |
Traver, Jr.; Robert F.
(Landenberg, PA) |
Assignee: |
W. L. Gore & Associates,
Inc. (Newark, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
24250048 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/563,324 |
Filed: |
November 28, 1995 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/352;
439/357 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/6273 (20130101); H01R 13/6335 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/633 (20060101); H01R 13/627 (20060101); H01R
013/627 () |
Field of
Search: |
;439/350,352,355,357,358,571,572 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
5318457 |
June 1994 |
Harting et al. |
5435744 |
July 1995 |
Derstine et al. |
5449298 |
September 1995 |
Fetterolf, Sr. et al. |
5518416 |
May 1996 |
Kantner et al. |
|
Other References
Catalog: AMP-.025 Square Interconnection System (AMPMODU), Catalog
82187, Streamlined Mar. 1989, pp. 42-43..
|
Primary Examiner: Nguyen; Khiem
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Genco, Jr.; Victor M.
Claims
Having described the invention, what is claimed is:
1. A connector for mating with an electrical apparatus, the
connector comprising:
a housing having formed therein a plurality of cavities, each of
which is dimensioned to receive an electrical conductor assembly,
the housing having a front portion having formed therein a
plurality of apertures, each of which is dimensioned to receive a
contact pin of the electrical apparatus, the housing defining a
pair of lateral portions, each lateral portion having formed
thereon a latching member;
a handle assembly having a gripping portion and an attaching
portion, the attaching portion being defined, at least in part, by
a pair of arms which each terminate with an engaging head member,
the handle assembly being moveably attachable with the housing, the
handle assembly being moveable, back and forth, from a first
delatching position to a second latching position; and
a latch assembly defined by at least one base portion and a pair of
arms, each arm defining a first receiving portion for receiving a
respective latching member and a second receiving portion for
receiving a respective engaging head member.
2. The invention of claim 1, wherein each lateral portion of the
housing has formed thereon a pair of rails which define a first
slot, and wherein each arm has formed on an interior arm surface a
tab member, wherein a respective tab member is positioned within a
respective first slot when the handle assembly is moveably attached
with the housing.
3. The invention of claim 1, wherein the latching member is wedge
shaped having a leading edge portion and a trailing edge
portion.
4. The invention of claim 3, wherein the trailing edge portion is
defined by inwardly converging surfaces.
5. The invention of claim 2, wherein each arm has formed on the
interior arm surface a pair of rail slots, each one of the rail
slots being disposed along a respective lateral edge of the tab
member, wherein the first and second rails of each respective pair
of rails are positioned within respective rail slots when the
handle assembly is moveably attached with the housing.
6. The invention of claim 5, wherein at least one of the pair of
rail slots defines first and second stops.
7. The invention of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly is fixedly
attached with the electrical apparatus.
8. The invention of claim 1, wherein the latch assembly includes an
attachment means for attaching the latch assembly with the
electrical apparatus.
9. The invention of claim 8, wherein the electrical apparatus
includes a plurality of contact pins.
10. The invention of claim 1, wherein the at least one base portion
of the latch assembly includes a pedestal portion.
11. The invention of claim 1, wherein each arm of the latch
assembly includes a pair of cams.
12. The invention of claim 1, wherein each first receiving portion
of each arm includes a latching member locking surface.
13. The invention of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of each
arm of the latch assembly has formed therein a groove for receiving
a predetermined pin of the electrical apparatus.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to the field of electrical cable
interconnection. More particularly, the present invention relates
to an improved positive latching electrical connector having a
delatching mechanism.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, a trend present in the electronics industry has
been to package electronic cables in extremely dense
interconnection arrangements. This increase in density has come at
the expense of other requirements for cable interconnections, for
example electrical fidelity, mechanical reliability, and overall
cost.
A cornerstone in the design of a cable connector system is to
provide for effective mechanical reliability. More particularly, it
is necessary to incorporate a positive latching device with a cable
connector system to eliminate inadvertent unplugging of the cable
connector system from a mating connector system. Of course, by
definition, a cable connector system must provide for selectable
unplugging. Therefore, any device that will eliminate inadvertent
unplugging, must also be easily defeated when the cable connector
system is to be intentionally unmated.
One design which has been employed in the past to prevent
inadvertent unplugging of the connector is a "detent" or
"semi-positive" latching arrangement. Such a design requires a dual
ramped bump, or protuberance, on a first surface of a first
connector, and a matching "window" or "detent" on a surface of a
mating second connector. Upon insertion of the first connector, the
leading edge of the bump is gently sloped and "pops" into the
detent on the mating second connector. However, upon unmating, the
trailing edge of the bump is more aggressively ramped, and requires
a much greater force to "pop" out of the detent. A shortcoming of
such a design is that this type of semi-positive latching design is
defeated by a force slightly greater than the unplugging force of
the connector, which results in inadvertent connector
disengagements.
Another approach employed in the electronics industry to provide
positive latching is typified in the "latch and eject" style of a
header assembly which is defined by military standard MIL-C-83503.
This type of interconnection scheme includes latches on either end
of a male connector that perform two functions: 1) the latches
provide positive latching of a female connector; and 2) the latches
provide a lever to easily unmate the interconnection. A shortcoming
of this type of connection scheme is that it requires a large
amount of additional area to physically support the latches, and to
permit the latches to move freely. For the same reasons that the
electronics industry is requiring more dense cable interconnection
arrangements, additional area to support such a latch arrangement
is not readily available.
Another design employed in the electronics industry to increase the
mechanical reliability of a cable interconnection arrangement
requires that the cables be terminated to a stamped and formed
metal contact that has a feature which grips the mating pin when a
pulling force is applied to the cables. These metal contacts are
grouped in a thermoplastic connector housing in such a fashion that
the contacts are allowed to move slightly within the housing. To
unmate the connector from the mating pins, a predetermined pulling
force is exerted on the housing. A shortcoming of such a design is
that if a load is applied to a cable, or cables, while a user
attempts to unmate the connector housing from the mating pins, the
loaded cable(s) will cinch tightly on the respective pin(s), and
disengagement of the connector housing will be prevented. Also,
although such a design does readily permit a connector system to
plug into confined space arrangements, in a desired unmating
evolution of this type of connector system in a confined space, an
operator must be able to grip the connector housing, which is
extremely difficult.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present
cable connector arrangements. Thus, it is apparent that it would be
advantageous to provide an improved cable connector system directed
to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above.
Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features
more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention advances the art of electrical connectors
beyond which is known to date. In one aspect of the present
invention, an electrical connector comprises a housing, a handle
assembly and a latch assembly. The housing has formed therein a
plurality of cavities, each of which is dimensioned to receive an
electrical conductor assembly. The housing has a front portion
having formed therein a plurality of apertures, each of which is
dimensioned to receive a contact pin of the electrical apparatus.
The housing defines a pair of lateral portions. Each lateral
portion has formed thereon a latching member. The handle assembly
has a gripping portion and an attaching portion. The attaching
portion is defined, at least in part, by a pair of arms which each
terminate with an engaging head member. The handle assembly is
moveably attachable with the housing. The handle assembly is
moveable, back and forth, from a first delatching position to a
second latching position. The latch assembly is defined by at least
one base portion and a pair of arms. Each arm defines a first
receiving portion for receiving a respective latching member and a
second receiving portion for receiving a respective engaging head
member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For purposes of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings an embodiment which is presently preferred.
It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited
to the precise arrangement and instrumentality shown. In the
drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded, environmental view of the positive latching
connector, having a delatching mechanism, of the present
invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective, environmental view of the invention of
FIG. 1, wherein the positive latching connector is illustrated in
an unmated, or disengaged, disposition with respect to an
electrical apparatus;
FIG. 3 is a perspective, environmental view of the invention of
FIG. 1, wherein the positive latching connector is illustrated in a
mated, or engaged, disposition with respect to the electrical
apparatus;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1, wherein an
unmating handle is illustrated in a first delatching position;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention of FIG. 1, wherein
the unmating handle is illustrated in a second latching
position;
FIG. 6 is an environmental view of a pair of positive latching
connectors of the present invention oriented in a side-by-side
mounting configuration; and
FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F illustrate a typical mating and
unmating sequence for the positive latching connector of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, the
positive latching connector of the present invention is generally
illustrated at 10 in FIG. 1. The positive latching connector 10
includes a handle assembly 12, a connector housing 14, and a latch
assembly 16, which may all be formed from a suitable engineering
grade thermoplastic. Suitable engineering grade thermoplastics
include, but not limited to, a thermoplastic polyester polymer,
polyphenylene sulfide, polyamide, acetyl,
acetylene-butadiene-styrene terpolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene,
polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), polybutyline terephthalate (PBT),
polycarbonate, polyether imide or liquid crystal polymer (LCP). The
positive latching connector 10 is operable for electrical
connection with an electrical apparatus 18.
The electrical apparatus 18 may be a printed circuit board having a
plurality of electrical connector pins 60 made integral
therewith.
As best understood by reference to FIG. 1, the handle assembly 12
is a one-piece construction having an upper gripping portion 20 and
a lower attaching portion 22. The handle assembly 12 is defined by
a pair of arms or side members 24 and a cross support 25. The upper
gripping portion 20 is suitably dimensioned to enable a user to
exert a gripping or pulling force thereupon. Lateral surfaces 21 of
the upper gripping portion 20 may have formed thereon a plurality
of grooves or ridges (not shown) for facilitating the gripping of
the handle assembly by the user. The lower attaching portion 22 is
defined at a lower portion of the arms 24. More particularly, the
lower portion of each arm 24 defines an engaging head 26, a pair of
travel or rail slots 30, and an engaging tab member 32. Each
engaging head 26 defines a leading edge portion 27 and a shaft
portion 28. Each engaging tab member 32 is a raised elongated
protuberance formed on an interior surface of each arm 24. The
engaging tab members 32 are substantially rectangularly shaped, and
are disposed parallel with a respective arm 24. Rail slots 30 are
formed parallel with lateral edge surfaces of each engaging tab
member 32. Rail slots 30 terminate at stops 30a and 30b. Stops 30a
and 30b limit the travel of the handle assembly 12, with respect to
the connector housing 14, as will be described in further detail
hereinafter.
The connector housing 14 has formed therein a plurality of cavities
34 within which electrical conductor assemblies 36 are terminated
and held firmly. The connector housing 14 defines lateral portions
38 which each have formed thereon a latching wedge 40 and a pair of
rails 42. Rails 42 define a travel slot 43. Latching wedge 40 is
defined by a latching wedge head portion 44 and latching wedge
trailing edge portion 46. In a preferred embodiment, the latching
wedge trailing edge portion is defined by inwardly converging
surfaces 48. A front portion 49 of connector housing 14 has formed
therein a plurality of apertures (not shown) which insertably
receive a plurality of pins 60 of the electrical apparatus 18.
The latch assembly 16 may be a one-piece assembly (not shown), or
may be a two-piece assembly as shown in detail in FIG. 1. The
embodiment of the latch assembly 16 which is illustrated in FIG. 1
is defined by a pair of latching arms 50 and a pair of base
portions 51. (In a one-piece embodiment of the latch assembly 16,
the latch assembly will be defined by a pair of latching arms 50
and a single base portion 51.) Each base portion 51 includes a top
surface portion 51a and a bottom portion 51b. Formed
perpendicularly through the base portion 51, with respect to the
top and bottom surfaces thereof, are a plurality of slots, the
function of which will be described in detail hereinafter. Formed
on the bottom surface 51b of the base portion 51 may be a pedestal
assembly 53 which elevates the base portion 51 above a surface 61
of the electrical apparatus 18. As should be understood, the
pedestal portion 53 is not an essential feature of the base portion
51.
The latch assembly 16 is fixedly attachable with the electrical
apparatus 18. Broadly, a mounting means 52 is provided to fixedly
attach the latch assembly with the electrical apparatus 18. The
mounting means 52 may be defined by rivets, screw fasteners, press
fitting members or any other suitable mounting means. In a
preferred embodiment, slots 52 are provided for pressfittingly
engaging respective pins 60.
Each latching arm 50 defines a first receiving portion 54 and a
second receiving portion 56. Each first receiving portion 54
receives a respective latching wedge 40 of the connector housing
14. At one end thereof, each first receiving portion 54 terminates
with a pair of latching wedge locking surfaces 59, which are
engagable with the latching wedge trailing edge 46 to lock the
latching wedge 40 within the first receiving portion 54. Formed on
each of the latching arms 50 are a pair of cams 58. Exterior
surfaces 62 of the latching arms 50 may have formed therein grooves
or channels 63, which are dimensioned to receive individual pins
60.
As best understood by comparing FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the handle
assembly 12 "floats", or is otherwise slidably movable, relative to
the connector housing 14. More particularly, the handle assembly 12
is operable for travel between a first position A (delatching
position), which is shown in FIG. 4, and a second position B
(latching position), which is shown in FIG. 5. This limited travel
is directed by the interaction of a pair of rails 42, which move
within respective rail slots 30, and an engaging tab member 32,
which moves within a travel slot 43. Travel is limited between the
first position A and the second position B by stops 30a and
30b.
As best seen by reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, an operator mates and
unmates the positive latching connector 10 by way of the handle
assembly 12. When mating the positive latching connector 10, an
operator applies a mating force "F" to the handle assembly 12,
which causes the handle assembly to move into the second position
B. In this position, the engaging head 26 moves into close
proximity to the latching wedge 40 on the connector housing 14. The
handle assembly 12 will remain in this position until the connector
housing is fully seated within the latch assembly 16. The mated and
latched connector 10 is best illustrated by reference to FIG.
3.
Operation of the positive latching connector 10 of the present
invention is best understood by reference to FIGS. 7A through 7F,
which illustrate a side view of the apparatus of the present
invention during a mating and unmating sequence. Referring to FIG.
7A, an operator provides a mating force "F" to the handle assembly
12. The mating force "F" causes the handle assembly 12 to move from
the first position A, to the second position B, wherein the
engaging head 26 is disposed in close proximity to the latching
wedge 40. As seen in FIG. 7B, as the mating force "F" is continued
to be applied to the handle assembly 12, the latching wedge 40 of
the connector housing 14 begins to engage the cams 58 of the latch
assembly 16. Such an arrangement permits the connector housing 14
to be aligned with the latch assembly 16 prior to engagement of the
connector housing 14 with the pins 60, thereby reducing any risk of
pin damage upon connector mating. In FIG. 7C, the mating force "F"
is continued to be provided such that the connector housing 14 and
handle assembly 12 continue to engage the latch assembly 16. As
illustrated in FIG. 7C, the engaging head 26 has engaged the cams
58 whereby the latching arm 50 is separated in such a way to permit
the latching wedge 40 to slide past the latching wedge locking
surface 59, and into the first receiving portion 54. This
progression will continue until the connector housing 14 is fully
mated with the electrical apparatus 18, at which time the latching
wedge 40 will be disposed completely within the first receiving
portion 54. When fully mated, the latching wedge 40 will be locked
in a predetermined fixed position by engagement of the latching
wedge trailing edge 46 with the latching wedge locking surface 59,
and the engaging head 26 will be fully seated within the second
receiving portion 56. The fully mated connector 10 is illustrated
in FIG. 7D. As shown therein, if an inadvertent force "P" is
applied to any of the electrical conductor assemblies 36, the force
will be transferred from the electrical conductor assembly to the
connector housing 14, and to the latching wedge 40. Because the
latching wedge 40 is fully engaged under the latching wedge locking
surface 59, the connector housing 14 is prevented from being
inadvertently unmated from the electrical apparatus 18. When
intentional unmating of the positive latching connector 10 is
desired, an operator provides an unmating force "U" upon the handle
assembly 12. The unmating force "U" causes the handle assembly 12
to move into the first position A (the delatching position). As the
handle assembly travels into the first position A, the engaging
head 26 slides along the cams 58, which causes opposed sides of the
latching arm 50 to open and release the latching wedge 40 from the
latching wedge locking surfaces 59. Continued application of the
unmating force "U" causes the latching wedge 40 to slide past the
latching wedge locking surfaces 59 and the cams 58 until the
positive latching connector 10 is completely unmated.
Because of the reliance on the elasticity of the material
comprising the latch assembly 16, rather than an additional
latching member, the design of the present invention lends itself
to a denser than typical packaging arrangement. The design of the
present invention permits connector assemblies to be mounted both
end-to-end, and side-to-side on standard pin grid arrays with
minimal loss of pins. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, two
positive latching connectors 10 are mounted end-to-end, adjacent to
one another. Only two pins 60 are lost for connection purposes. As
should be understood, the pins 60 are disposed within the channels
63, which are formed on the exterior surfaces 62 of the latching
arms 50.
Although a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have
been described in detail above, those skilled in the art readily
appreciate that many modifications are possible without materially
departing from the novel teachings and advantages which are
described herein. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended
to be included within the scope of the present invention, as
defined by the following claims.
* * * * *